inside sales representative

truck driver

outside sales representative

handler

route driver

Oxarc LLC

I was hired to work the dock at night, loading and unloading trucks. I knew nothing about the compressed gas industry, and had to learn to 'roll' compressed gas cylinders. I learned quickly, and after 4 months, was made Dock Supervisor (read that: someone to hold accountable if stuff isn't done!), and supervised four employees to successful completion of daily and shift-required tasks. 

Training was excellent, and performed on the sub-management level. If there was a downside to this, it was that management did not know the work processes of the workers, and made some decisions that resulted in some problems. I liked the fact that, even though it was sometimes late, they always listened to us on the issue of increasing production, and fixing problems that might impact production. As Dock Supervisor, my area of control and responsibility was the entire cylinder staging dock, as well as the cylinder storage yard, areas with a combined total of over 5,000 cylinders of all types. Daily forklift and pallet jack operations over all manner of terrain was a requirement. I had a lot of autonomy, and proved myself faithful. 

When I was transferred to the Cylinder Maintenance shop, the Plant Manager told me during a review that "I think we found the best fit for you, in cylinder maintenance.", and I agreed. I found it fascinating!

I quickly learned how to do proper visual inspections, how to determine problems with valves, and repaired them. I was responsible for transferring cylinders from the main storage dock to the maintenance shop dock, by a basket on a forklift. I would then assess the needs of the cylinders, and their condition. Those needing repair, I would repair. Those that needed retest, I would inspect and prepare for the required test (ultrasonic or hydro test). I would move the retested and/or repaired cylinders to the blast/paint shop, or back to the staging dock, and the fill rooms. Again, I had a lot of autonomy based on proven faithfulness at work, and expert knowledge. 

In time, I was trained in the methods of hydro testing, including repair of the equipment...a position in which I excelled. I also continued, as time permitted, in the assessment and repair/rebuilding of cylinder valves. I quickly became an expert in the Code of Federal Requirements concerning the "offering of specialty packaging for transport", which actually meant the standards for recertifying, repairing, and marking compressed gas cylinders prior to filling with their specific gas and transporting them to other locations. The volumes employed was the CFR 49 1798-180, Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Pamphlets C-1 thru C12, and National Fire Protection Association booklets 1 - 12 and 17.  

In 2004, the ultrasonic tester was transferred to the main building to function as plant manager. I was put through a 5 day training class and passed the test as a level 1 ultrasonic testing technician, utilizing Fiba, Int'l's (Boston, Md) Ultratest ultrasonic test table. After 600 hours of testing, I was awarded level 2. 

In all positions I excelled, and set the standard. I became one of two company experts in matters of cylinder recertification. 

In 2007 I was assigned to take over the company wide fire shop. This was a shop utilized to refurbish portable fire extinguishers, and recertify all manner of fire extinguishing equipment, including wheeled units, wet chemical, dry chemical system cylinders, CO2, Inergen valve rebuilds, Proof Pressure testing IAW DOT CFR 49 sect's 178-180, NFPA requirements of proof pressure testing, valve rebuilding, and condition requirements of refurbishment. The number of fire extinguishers requiring refurbishing, as well as those requiring recertification was in the thousands. I singlehandedly reconfigured the shop and equipment resulting in a 200 percent increase in production. I produced so many refurbished fire extinguishers that the plant manager verified my numbers, suspecting a mistake in counting. When I was transferred, three men took over my position, as the incoming amount of fire extinguishers increased steadily. 

It had been determined when I took over sole operation of the fire shop that burnout was a problem, and that position must have a time limit, or the employee will burn out. In January of 2010, I was transferred to a desk job, replacing an employee who was retiring. I reconfigured Excel pages to accurately show data, introduced color coding, and deleted many duplicate pages. I was responsible for tracking cylinders out as rental to area customers, including Hanford contractors, and was tasked with ensuring accuracy in the process. In addition I was tasked with inventorying incoming and outgoing trucks, to ensure accurate count of all cylinders. 

In May of 2010, the economic decline had been building for about a year, and I was laid off. 

I fully enjoyed my time at Oxarc, and the people with which I worked. I was one of the highest paid employees, and in that they could hire two men for the same cost, I was not recalled back to work. 

Oxarc is a family owned company, with regional locations. Returning to work in a different position within the company was not possible, as many positions for which I was qualified only required one or two employees.

The Boise branch office was positive, professional and upbeat overall.  The benefit package was above average compared to competitive companies in Idaho.  The compensation was below average with consideration to my years of experience and performance.  The product training was very good and helpful for me as an outside salesman to provide my customers a high level of service.  I was able to expand my knowledge of industrial products during my employment with the company. The opportunity for advancement was available however, the compensation for the level of responsibility did not support the positions available. The marketing was average and believe it needed improvement in order to exceed the marketing of our competitors. The middle management was very good and positive with good communication.  The corporate level management was a bit disconnected when it came to connecting with the employees and lacked communication which I feel is very important to a successful business.  I looked forward to going to work every day and the daily challenges of the job.

The upper management couldn't be trusted they would listen but only to spin what you said back on you to make you commit to more or just to shut you up. If you needed help on jobs they would never give you help. Getting the proper tools was more than difficult I needed a drill and it was always borrowed from someone who borrowed it from someone else, it took over a year to get one that was just working. To get supplies like stud finders wall anchors screws and so on was hard. Your in charge of your own inventory for selling stock but randomly you would just stop getting your products from the company wear house and management wouldn't help you get it. Like I said you make all the commitments but the company made no promises or commitments to you. Your told when you start overtime must be preapproved but that goes out the window fast the turn over rate can be high every 6 months I found my self stretched covering other areas were someone quit, or the new hire was overwhelmed.

Lots of physical labor, lots of movement, great variety of products and services. I enjoyed my coworkers, managers, and the company executives. 

It was difficult to locate information extremely quickly at times when a customer was in dire need, because information technology and inter-company communication was slightly outdated and antiquated, but they definitely were investing time and money to evolve and grow.

Customers and the great variety of industries serviced made thte job never monotonous and never boring. 

Great place to work, with a lot of great people.

When i first started it was a great place to work. All the people where and are nice. Everyone helped everyone. The last year and a half the management changed and things seem to go down hill from there.I would come in at 6 am do my paperwork, check out my truck then go make my deliveries. I learned a lot about welding products and the gases used for that.The work place at first was good but then the last year and a half got stressful.The hardest part was getting the truck loaded with everything i needed for that day.The most enjoyable was going out and making the deliveries.

What is the best part of working at the company?
There really wasn’t a best part. Honestly, I started looking for a job very soon after I was hired there.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
It really was no training, and the people that I work with were super poor motivators, and trainers.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Imagine going to work every single day with your coworkers, main function. Responsibility and desire is to point out how inept you are.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Absolute silence, no encouragement, no guidance, no instruction.

The only pro's that I can think of are I was paid on time, the benefits are okay and I made some great friends.
This employer does not value their employees and they do not trust anyone.  It is indeed family run and the family gets special privileges and treatment that are not afforded to everyone,there is a definite hierarchy.  Employees are told they are "lucky" to have jobs.  They pretty much mentally chip away at you until you don't think you can find employment elsewhere.  The owners flaunt their wealth driving expensive cars while the employees struggle to get more than a small cost of living pay increase.  Bottom line, do not work for this employer.

Hire very poor people with no willingness of wanting to work. Hard workers always get thrown more work meanwhile the lazy get told nothing and get away with everything. Management picks and chooses people, definitely a lot of favoritism if you know or get a long with anybody above manage position. OXARC doesn't value the good workers. Only time you get brought in into the office is for bad news never to hear that your doing a good job or getting a decent yearly raise. 

It use to be for the customers. Now you must fight for them and your sanity. To many hands in the basket and no one knows what the other is doing. They have all of there eggs in the wrong baskets and have unrealistic expectations for their employees expect burnout quickly and everyone is at each other's throats. I'm spread so thin I'm mentally burnt out by the middle of Monday. Not to mention there is zero support to accomplish anything out on your plate. 

You work by yourself out of a van servicing and recharging fire extinguishers . Depending on location you are either your own lead or work under a lead technician. The position has a high turnover rate because most people aren't cut out for the job but if I hadn't relocated I never would have quit. There is also ample opportunity to switch jobs as Oxarc has multiple divisions.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Inside sales representative 2 salaries reported	$23.50 per hour
Truck driver 3 salaries reported	$29.67 per hour
Outside sales representative 2 salaries reported	$70,000 per year
Handler 2 salaries reported	$25.75 per hour
Route driver 1 salary reported	$30.00 per hour

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